Card table



May 23, 1933. w, VANCE 1,910,974

CARD TABLE Filed July 29, 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 //a/ZE' 7Z. ymca May 23,1933. N. VANCE CARD TABLE 4 Sheets-Sheet, 2

F- i led J l 29; 1929 May 23,'1933.- w. N. VANCE 1,910,974

, CARD TABLE Filed July 29, 1929 :4 Sheets-Sheet s Patented May 23, 1933UNITED} STATES WALTER N. VANCE, OF NORTH AURORA, ILLINOIS, ASBIGNOR TOLYON METAL PATENT OFFICE PRODUCTS, INCORPORATED, OF AURORA, ILLINOIS, A.CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS cum imam Application ma July :9, 102a. sumac.381,757.

This invention relates to table construe-- tion and has more particularreference to folding tables having for its object the provision of astrong light, folding table possessing the usualadvantages of a foldingtable and in addition providing, when extended, a solid, substantialtable having unusual rigidity and strength and presenting a sightlyappearance, advantage being tal en of certain structural formations toattaln this attractive result.

One of the important objects of my present invention is to provide, in atable having a folding leg, a novel means ior'interlockmg the leg inextended position whereby unusual ri 'dity is attained when the leg is mextende position. The leg locking means also is arranged so that the legmay be quickly and easil disengaged from extended position and fol edagainst the table top.

Another object of the inventionresldes 1n the provision of a novelmounting or bracket of simple rugged construction and which Is cheap tomanufacture whereby a foldable leg may be mounted to a table top.-

Another of the important objects of my present invention is to provide anovel table top construction of unusual strength and simplicity and inwhich structural formations are employed to advantage in decorating theproduct.

Another object of the invention resides in the provision of a noveltabletop including a support rim or frame provide wlth decorativestruck-outs which in addition to then decorative feature are used torovide rigid su port for a central panel which forms the ta le top.

. Another of the important ob ects of my present invention is to provi ea novel means of makin table legs, or in fact legs for any sort ofurniture, from, sheet metal,.

the le of -my invention having great strengt and rigidity, being cheapto manu-- facture and presenting a sightly appearance. Another 0 ject ofthe invention resides in the provision of a compound leg for tables andthe like in which the parts are formed of sheet metal stampings and areinterlocked together by means of a spacing and locking key and Withoutriveting or welding whereby the leg provides a cheap yet rugged andrigid unitary member.

Still another object of the invention resides in the provision of acompound leg formed of interlocking parts in which the mechanical shapeof the parts is relied upon not only to provide strength and rigidity inthe leg, but also to present a unique and attractive leg appearance.

Among the other numerous objects and advantages of my present inventionis to provide a durable and serviceable folding table in which a rigidleg mounting, an economic and sightly rim construction and a' novelmanner of forming the table legs all contribute to provide the desirableand useful characteristics of beauty, strength and rigidity in thetable.

Numerous other objects and advantages will be a parent as the inventionis more lully un erstood from the following description which, taken inconnection with theaccompanying drawings, discloses a preferred form ofthe invention.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a table embodying my invention;

Figure 2 is a vertical section taken substafi itially along the line 2-2in Fig. 1;

1 stantially along the line 3-3 in Fig. 2;

Figure 4 is a vertical section taken substantially along the line 4--4in Fig. 3;

Figure 5 is an enlarged horizontal section taken substantially along theline 55 in re 3 is a horizontal section taken sub- Figure 12 is aperspective view of a support bracket for mounting the leg in t e cornerof the table top;

Figure 13 is a perspective view of the top of a table leg showing itsformation at the point which is assembled and mounted in' stantiallyalong the line 15 ofFig. 14

- and on an enlarged scale;

Fi 16 is a vertical section taken substantially along the line 16-16 inFi 15;

Figures 17, 18 and 19 are horizonta sections taken substantially alonthe lines 1717, 18-18 and 1919 in ig. 6; and,

Figure 20 is a bottom plan view of the bottom of. the legs shown in Fis. 15 and 16. To illustrate my invention, have shown on the drawings afolding table having a rectangular frame 1 formed of sheet metaland'turned over to rovide upper and lower heads 2 and 3. T e frame maybe made from a single strip of material, suitably configurated andhaving its ends abutted and secured to ether in-any suitable manner asby the welded fish plate 3or the frame may be made in two or moresections having their ends abutting and joined as at 3' This frame 1 hasparts struck out therefrom to lighten the and bent rearwardly to rovidesup orting lugs 4 which support a aminated ta le top 5. These lugs areof an arbitrary shape and provide the ornamental openings 6. Otheropenings 7 which are the same size and shape as the openings 6 areprovided in the frame frame and make it ornamental. Ofiset clips 8 arefastened to the bottom of the'top 5 by means of screws or rivets 9 andthese clips overlap the lugs 4 and firmly hold the top 5 in position inthe frame 1. I may, of course, omit the clips and attach the lugs 4directly to the table top by suitable fasteners.

A bracket 10, Figure 12, is provided with a downwardly bent ortion 11 onits rounded side 12 and with a ownturned flange 13 on its straightside-14. This bracket fits into the corners of the frame 1 and carriesthe downwardly extending plates 15 and 16. The plate 15 has a notchedportion 17 which conforms with the portion 11 on the bracket 10, and italso has a flat top ortionlS which bears against the bottom 0 thebracket. The plate 16 has an outwardly extending lug or finger 19 whichextends through a notch or slot 20 in the flange 13 of the bracket. Thetop forward edge of this plate extends through a notch 01' slot 21formed in the portion 11 of the bracket. These two plates, are welded orotherwisg rigidly secured to the bracket 10. An odd shaped hexagonalopening or hole 22' is provided in Legs 25 having a square top portion26,

Figure 13, are provided with o positely disposed slotted openings 27 an28, through which the bolt 24 extends, Figure 13.

The bolt 24 has a head 29 and a nut 30 and pivotally holds the legs 25in osition between the plates 15 and 16. 11 odd shaped hexagonal portion31, Figure 12, is formed on the bolt inwardly of its head 29 and seatsin the hole 22 in the plate 16. The slot 28 in the leg 25 is providedwith a substantially s uare portion 32 which receives the sides 0 theportion 31 of the bolt 24 when the legs are arranged in extendedposition. A lug 33 is formed at the top of the legs andextends through aslot 34 formed in the top of the bracket 10. A spring 35, Figure 11, isconnected to the bolt 24 and to a lug formed on the inside of the legsand normally ur s the legs upwardlywhen they are in exten ed position ortoward the frame when they are in collapsed position. a

A locking lever 36, igure 6, is pi votall mounted on the square portion26 of eac le 25 by means of a screw or rivet 37.

ovementof this locking lever is/ restricted .by means of another screwor rivet 38 which operates in a slot 39 formed in the locking lever. Athumb piece 40 is provided at the end of the lever 36 to operate thesame. When the legs 25 are operated from collapsed position to extendedposition, the outer edge of the leg will heal guided by the inturnedcurved flange 41, F1 re 12, which is formed on the plate 15. Thls flangeguides the leg when it s sliding on the bolt causing the lug 33 toengage the slot. 34 and rmltting the hexagonal portion 31 on the olt 24to seat in the square portion 32 of the slot 28, that is to say, the camflan e lifts 1 leg is being folded.

Clips 42 are fastened to the under side of the top 5 by means of screws43 and they have a portion 44 which overlaps the lug 19 on the plate 16.The clips 42 and some of the In 4, Figure 5, whlch overla the bracket 1&p riglig assembled position.

0 legs 25, Figures 14 to 20, are comof two parts 45. and 46, each ofwhich 18 made of a sin le piece of sheet metal and bent to form sustantiall circular curls or beads 47 and 48 having t eir inner ends 49bent inwardl Figure 18. An attaching plate 50 is 5 id between the freeends 49 of the members 15 and 46, and this attaching plate 50 isprovided with struck out lugs 51 which engage and are received in slotstend to hold the parts in proper v 52 formed in the free ends 49 of themembers ,45 and 46. This attaching plate 50 has triangular portions 53struck out from each side thereof to fill in the s aces between themember 50 and the mem ers 45 and 46. These portions 53 bear against theinside edges of these two members to force them into proper position tomaintain them in locked engagement. The metalfrom which the members 45and 46 are made is substantially springy so that when the lugs 51 arereceived in the slots 52, the parts are rigidly and securely lockedtogether.

The beads 47 and 48 mer e into the rectangular top portion 26 of t elegs and also merge at their lower ends into a substantially smoothcircular portion 54 which acts as a foot for the legs. The lower ends ofthe members 45 and .46 are provided with tongues 55 and 56, and thesetongues overlap inside the members 46 and 45'respectivel at the bottomof the foot. It is preferablb to secure the tongue 55 to the member 46and the tongue 56 to the member 45 in any convenient manner such as byspot weldin indicated at 55 and 56' and I prefer to mtroduce a channelmember 60 within the rectangular to portion andto Weld or otherwisesecure the upper formed. portions of the members 45 and 46 to thechannel member as indicated at 61, whereby to rigidly secure the partstogether and to form a sturdy leg. The abutting portions of the curls 47and 48also may be secured together as by jump welding indicated at 47and 48' or the leg after being assembled may be hot galvanized with selter or similar molten metal, which in e ect solders the curls wherethey touch and gives the leg a finished appearance. Legs constructed inthe manner just described are comparatively simple to manufacture, andat the same time are very rugged and durable. By merging the beads intothe rectangular topportion 26 and into the smooth circular bottomportion or foot 54, both simplicity in manufacture and ornamentationhave been combined. The

leg construction per se is disclosed andclaimed in the copendingdivisional appli cgtim, Serial No. 386,612, filed August 17, 1

In .practice', the top 5 is arranged in the frame 1 and held in ositiontherein by means of the inturned ugs-4 and the clips 8. The brackets 10are arranged in the corners of the frame with their top sides engagingthe underside of the top. This bracket is maintained in position bymeans of the clips 4 engaging the underside of the bracket, and theclips 42 engaging the lug 19 on the side plate 16. The bracket can bewelded or' otherwise suitably secured to the lugs 4 and also around'theouter edge of the bracket and the lower side of the head 2. The plates15 and 16 have interlocking and interfitting en agement are arrangedbetween the plates 15 and 16,

with the side of the leg which carries the rectangular slot 32 abuttingthe plate 16. The bolt 24 fits through the plates 15 and 16 and isreceived in the slots 27 and 28 of the legs, The bolt head 29 bearsagainst the outside of the plate 16, and the hexagonal portion 31 isreceived in the hexagonal hole 22 in the plate 16 and also in the slot28 in the leg 25. The s ring 35 tends to pull the leg toward the b0 t 24so that when the leg is in extended position, the part 31 of the boltwill be received in the square portion 32 of the slot 28 and will bracethe leg to keep it from swaying or wobbling. When a leg 25 is moved fromcollapsed Eposition, Figure 10, to extended position, 1 ures 5 and 6,the outer top edge of the leg will be pulled against the flangedroundedportion 41 of the plate 15 by the spring 35 so that the lug 33 will seatin theslot 34 in the bracket 10.- When the leg is in extended position,the spring 35 ,wi l have pulled the leg upwardly so that the part 31 ofthe bolt 24 will be seated in the square portion 32 of the slot 28. Thelever 36,

pivoted on the leg by the rivet 37, fulcrums returned to collapsedposition, the leg wil be pulled outwardly the length of the slots 27 and28 and held in collapsed position by means of the tension on the spring35 and by the bottom edge of the flange 41.

The bolt 24 may be provided with an annular groove 58 to hold the spring35 in place thereon, if desired.

The invention provides a table which is comparatively simple inconstruction, which is strong, rigid and durable. The table isornamental, presents a neat and pleasing appearance and can be easilyfolded up and stored away when not in use. It can be readily and quicklymanufactured and provides novel means for maintaining the table top inposition therein. The locking construction is composed of relatively fewsimple parts which are strong and rigid and can be quickly and easilyassembled and operated. The leg construction is unique for its simplicitand ruggedness and combines both manu acturing simplicity andornamentation. 7

Changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the"arts without departing from the s irit o the invention or sacrificingany o the advantages thereof, and the right is hereby reserved -to makeall such changes as fairly flall within the scope of the following oaims.

-The invention is hereby claimed as follows:

V plates on said bracket, a leg pivoted to said lates, and a lockinglever pivoted to said eg for, locking the leg in place.

'2. A table comprising aframe, a top mounted on said frame and securedthereto, a bracket fastened in the corners of said frame andengaging-the top, lates fastened to said-bracket, legs having s ottedopenings therein and arranged between said plates, a bolt passingthrough said plates and said slotted openings, and means on said boltand engaging a portion of one of said slotted openlngs for rigidlysupporting the leg when said leg is in extended position.

3. A table comprising a frame, a top mounted on said frame and securedthereto, a bracket fastened in the corners of said frame andengaging thetop, plates fastened to said bracket, legs having slotted openingstherein and arranged between said plates, 0. bolt passing through saidplates and said slotted openings, means on said bolt and engaging aportion of one of said slotted openings for rigidly supporting the legwhen said leg is in extended osition, and means for normally urging saidlast named means toward the portion of said last named slotted opening.

' 4. A table comprising a frame, a top mounted on said frame and securedthereto, a bracket fastened in the corners of said frame and engagingthe top, plates fastened to said bracket, folding legs pivoted to saidplates, and a spring connected to the leg pivot and a part of said legand urging the egg in a predetermined direction.

5. A table comprising a frame, a top mounted on said frame, a brackethaving a notch thereinand arranged in said frame, a

. plate fixed to said bracket, 0. second plate attached to said bracketand en aging said notch, anda lug on said second plate and extendingthrough said bracket.

6. ,A table comprising a frame, a top mounted on said frame, a brackethaving a notch therein and arran ed in said frame, a

plate fixed to said bra et, a second plate attached to said bracket andengaging said notch, a flange on said bracket and having a hole therein,and a lug on said second plate and engaging the hole in said flange.

7. A table comprising a frame, a top mounted on said frame, a brackethaving a notch therein and arranged insaid frame, a

circular hole and the other of said plates having a hole provided withangularly disposed sides, a leg arranged between said plates and havingoppositely alined slotted openings therein, a bolt passing through saidholes and slotted openings, an angularly shaped member formed on saidbolt and engageable with said angularly shaped hole, and a spring fornormally urging said leg toward the bracket, one of said slots havingan. additional slotted portion cooperating gvith the angularly shapedmember on said olt.

9. In a table, a bracket, a pair of plates fastened to said bracket, aleg pivoted between said plates, one of said plates being notched andhaving a cam adjacent the notch, a locking lever pivoted to said leg andengageable with said cam and notch, and means on the leg and engagin thelever for limiting the movement of said lever.

10. In a table, a bracket, a pair of plates fastened to said bracket, aleg pivoted be tween said plates and having restricted slidable movementtherein, means on one of said plates and frictionally engaging a part ofsaid leg, and means for-urging the leg in a predetermined direction.

11. In a table havin pivoted folding legs, each leg having a s ottherein, a pivot pin through the slot, said leg being movablelongitudinally relative to the pivot pin a predetermined distance,spring means for urging the leg longitudinally toward an end of the slotwhen the leg is in folded position, rigid means engaginga part of theleg for movin the leg toward the other end of the slot w en the leg isin extended position and a locking member for locking the leg inextended ositiont 12. In a table aving pivoted folding legs, eachleghaving a slot therein, a pivot pin through the slot, said leg beingmovable longitudinally relative to the pivot pin a predetermineddistance, s ring means for urging the le longitudina ly toward an end ofthe slot w en the leg is in folded osition, rigidmeans engaging a partof leg for moving the leg toward the other end 0 the slot when the legis in extended position, a locking memberfor locking the leg in extendedposition, said locking means moving the legs. predetermined distance outthe- a rigid member fixed to the table and upon which the legs arepivoted, each leg havlng a slot therein, a pivot pin passing throughsaid member and passing through the slot in the leg whereby the leg ispivoted to said member and having longitudinal movement the length ofthe slot, an inturned flange on the member, and a spring urgingth'e legin a predetermined position, said spring urging the leg against saidflange, said flange causing longitudinal movement of the leg duringcertain pivotal movement thereof.

14. In a table having pivoted folded legs, a rigid member fixed to thetable and upon which the legs are pivoted, each leg having a slottherein, a pivot pin passing through said member and passing through theslot in the leg whereby the leg is pivoted to said member and havinglongitudinal movement the length of the slot, an inturned flange on themember, a spring urging the leg in a predetermined position, said springurging the leg against said flange, said flange causing longitudinalmovement of the le during certain pivotal movement thereo and a'catchfixed to said leg for lockin the leg in extended position, operation 0said catch moving the leg longitudinally a predetermined distance topermit folding movement of the leg.

15. A table comprising a rectangularly shaped frame made froma singlestrip of sheet metal material which has its ends abutted and securedtogether, a pluralit of inwardly extending s aced lugs punche inwardlyabout the si es of the frame near the upper edge of the frame, a tabletop arranged in the frameand supported by the lugs, and-fastening meansengaging the table top and the underside of the lugs to fasten the topin rigid position in the frame. In witness whereof, I have hereuntosubscribed my name. 4 I

WALTER N. VANCE.

